Presentation of the Research

Presentation of the first National research in the Kingdom of Eswatini on Arts, Culture and Business was designed and developed with the support of senior research consultants and implemented at operational level by junior Swati female researchers, the Swazi Trails Adventure and The Mountain Inn and HOTAS (Hospitality and Tourism association of Swaziland) with the distribution of questionnaires to three target groups: 1000 Swazi citizens, 54 owners of Swazi Accommodation/Tourists Facilities and 293 non-residents of eSwatini, mainly tourists.The Research is part of the Minerva/EU Project development, with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Theater Club, that enhances Culture also as an economic resource, and has seen actions taken to discover, promote and encourage young Swati artists, technicians and cultural operators.

“ITALIAN ARTIST OF MINERVA ART SHOW FINALE”

A lot of gratitude to the Times of Swaziland, and to Phumelele Mkhonta, for the beautiful article dedicated to the Minerva Gran Finale and to greet the Italian great artist Ambrogio Sparagna who will perform with “la crème de la crème” of Swazi artists!

THE GREAT MINERVA FINAL SHOW is waiting for eSwatini on Saturday 19th, 11.00am, Swaziland Theatre Club. Save the date and due to the limited availability of space.

Free entrance!

UNDER THE UNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND PROJECT, CO-FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION,

MINERVA PRESENTS:

PRESS CONFERENCE / THE FIRST NATIONAL RESEARCH PAPER ON

“ARTS AND CULTURE IN THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI”The potential in the Cultural and Tourism Industry to improve the Swati Economy

SPECIAL GUEST, from Italy, AMBROGIO SPARAGNA, the highest representative of Italian Folk Music.

ART DIRECTOR, from Italy, Erasmo Treglia

MC: Nana Sambo

The SHOW is for free, bring your friends and families and enjoy… THE GREAT MINERVA FINAL MUSIC SHOW!

ANNOUNCEMENT TO YOUNG ARTISTS; PAINTERS and SCULPTORS.

MINERVA and ALLIANCE FRANCAISE IN SUPPORT OF YOUNG TALENTED ARTISTS /

MINERVA, in cooperation with the ALLIANCE FRANCAISE de MBABANE, under the European Union funded Project “EUnited Arts of Swaziland”, invite all interested artists (painters and sculptors) to respond this Call to present themselves and their works by sending a private message to this FaceBook page or an email to minerva.swaziland@gmail.com

BY JANUARY MONDAY 14th, 10:00am.

The materials to be presented through FB or e-mail must include:

1) A max of 5 pictures of Original paintings/sculptures 2) A brief presentation of the paintings/sculptures 3) A brief presentation of themselves as artists, including sex, age, a mobile phone number.

The works and the artists selected by a Panel of experts will be presented during an exhibition at the Alliance Francaise on January 18th, 6:00pm.

Artists, don’t lose this chance, send your works at soonest.

We will be waiting for your talents!

MINERVA TEAM

the EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVAL – IV Edition

THE PROTAGONISTS – ESMERALDA HERNANDEZ ARAGONES / EUROPEAN UNION

THANK YOU, EU AMBASSADOR!

For supporting the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme step by step, for having not missed one single stage of this beautiful and effective initiative EU co-funded, for supervising and enjoying it at fullest, for your
human and institutional encouragement, for representing for all of us the symbolic Mother of this virtuous Movement.

Valerie Munier is the Director of the Alliance Francaise De Mbabane, Organizational Partner of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme. Woman, passionate of culture, Valerie worked hard in the last four years directing the Alliance Francaise to promote Arts, local talent and the francophone culture in eSwatini with impressive achievements.

She have had the unique opportunity of spending the majority of her career traveling the world. She arrived in Eswatini in September 2015 after living 8 years in Africa (Congo & Nigeria). She is mother of 2 boys, 9 and 11 years old, who are ”third culture kids” as they have grown up abroad and have followed her husband all over the world.

Thank you Valerie for your unique support and the significant contribute for the success of the Minerva/EU Programme.

Through the Italian Minerva and the French Alliance, in synergy with eSwatini and under the proud flag of the European Union, we showed up that facing challenges together, let’s say EUnited!, we can achieve ambitious results and beyond all expectations!

With Love, Appreciation and Respect,

MINERVA TEAM

(Photo Minerva / Claudio Graziani)

THE PROTAGONISTS – ART DIRECTOR / MINERVA TEAM

THANK YOU, ROK KOSIR!

With a long experience in directing Music Festivals all over Europe, he has been the Minerva Art Director to develop three successful EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festivals in 2018 with patience, responsibility, determination, sensitivity, empathy and with a great love for Swazi people and for the culture of eSwatini.

Thank you, “Tall” Rok Kosir!

THE PROTAGONISTS – MC / DREAM TEAM

THANK YOU NANA SAMBO!

“Talent and passion surfaces heat, sweat, fever and a runny tummy. These are all the symptoms I experienced during the cause of preparing the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival GO SUGAR but I couldn’t be defeated. I must say that the Dream Team conquered the odds and delivered. Find what you love and let it kill you”, Nana said to Minerva.

“The EUnited Arts has given our Dream Team the opportunity of being mentored by people and have decorated accolades in the sphere of their Art, not only did I feel part of a great team! I felt part of something bigger than myself. It has been a journey of tears, hardwork, sacrifices and mostly laughter and learning. I want to thank Minerva and the EU for involving me in this project, whatever they saw in me I shall keep on eating my vegetables, to keep at it” (she laughs).

Thanks to you, humble, positive and brilliant NANA!

MINERVA TEAM(photo by Minerva)

THE PROTAGONISTS – AUDITION SELECTED

THANK YOU THIBA!

“I would like to thank the Management of Minerva -EUnited Arts of Eswatini for believing in me, after winning the September 24 Auditions to over 24 artist to join the Dream Team. GO SUGAR festival was too lit and powerful despite the strong wind and super hot sun. Thanks for the quality sound and the professional experience I got from the Minerva team. Thank you Minerva And EU”

Thanks to you, ‘standard so’ Thiba, for your great performance and for supporting the Dream Team!

(photo by Minerva/Claudio Graziani)

THE PROTAGONISTS – DREAM TEAM

THANK YOU PACHANGA!

Pachanga: “Big Bend was great even though the weather was a bit of harsh, thank you Minerva for the chance to allow us to get to know each other as artists. Minerva made this possible. There is a lot talent in ESwatini and we appreciate the opportunity given by Minerva and the European Union to us as Artists to be able to make a living through art.”

Wandile: “Thank you Minerva & EU, it’s been an amazing Experience to take part in the fourth EUnited Arts of Swaziland Edition. Shout out Mayaluka for you support guys. We happy to be allowed chance to do what we love, which is the electrifying music. Thank you Minerva for such an amazing opportunity!”

And thank you, Wandile, for bringing your beats to the Lubombo Region under the EU flag!

Swazi Media are engaging more and more in Arts and Culture in the Kingdom and we are grateful for their kind attention in the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme.

Thank you “Times of eSwatini” (Phumelele Mkhonta), Swazi Observer (Ayanda Dlamini), eSwatini TV, Channel S and eSwatini Broadcasting and Information Services(SBIS) for your releases and the words of appreciation on Swazi Talents and on the IV Edition of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival “GO SUGAR”.

Siyabonga Swazi Media!

ONE MORE HIT FOR EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVALS!

THE EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND MOVEMENT DOES NOT STOP EVEN IN HIGH TEMPERATURES OF 40 DEGREES AND THE STRONG WINDS OF LUBOMBO REGION.

The IV Edition of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival GO SUGAR, developed by Minerva together with Swazi Dream Team of musicians, technicians and film makers, co-funded by the European Union and organized with the support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, has proven one more time technical capacity and the best music talents of eSwatini Saturday November 17th at Mayaluka Stadium.

Zithile, Thembela, Pachanga, Wandile Dj, Thiba, local based dancers and musicians, Nana Sambo (MC), under the artistic direction of Rok Kosir, have ridden the burning stage with their unique performances at the honorable and passionate presence of the EU Ambassador of eSwatini, Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones.

(“Minerva picture by Claudio Graziani”: part of the crew leaded by the EU Ambassador Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones on a dancing stage)

The Swazi TV made an interview with the Minerva Dream Team Coordinator, Ms Nqobile Jele, to learn more about the 4th edition of EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival “GO SUGAR” (Saturday 17th, Mayaluka Stadium, 1:30pm) for the news to be broadcasted later this evening both in English and Siswati.

We are also grateful to Swazi TV for the Morning Kusile Breakfast Show tomorrow at 6.45am to illustrate the benefits that Minerva-EU co-funded Project brought to the people of the Kingdom of eSwatini in the Arts of Culture.

After the large public participation at the III Edition of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival in the rural area of Eluvinjelweni, Hhohho Region, the IV Edition, under the Minerva Project co-funded by the European Union, will move to Lubombo Region in the Bigbend sugar cane area, at the Mayaluka Stadium (ILLOVO) with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane.

Sugar is the main commercial crop, the ‘gold of eSwatini’, and its workers, both women and man, who feed the economy of the Kingdom, and the local communities in Lubombo, deserve the joy and pride of experiencing the music of the talented Dream Team Swati artists who will perform in the IV Edition, with the Art Direction of Rok Kosir:

– Zithile – Thembela – Pachanga– Wandile Dj

… And with the participation of the rapper Thiba.

MC: Nana Sambo.

Lubombo people are famous to love Music and Concerts and the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival is ready to please them!

THIS IS AN OPEN INVITATION TO THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI… AND THE EVENT IS FOR FREE!

MINERVA AUDITIONS AND CASTING / SELECTIONS FINALIZED

Minerva and the Alliance Francaise are happy to announce the artists who have been selected and who will ride the stage together with the Dream Team in one of the following two EUnited Arts of Swaziland Editions by January 2019

The Artists selected are:

SITIGCABHA NGEMASIKO ESWATINI CULTURAL GROUP

POETIC ROOTS

THIBA

We congratulate them and we express our heartfelt gratitude and we encourage all artists who manifested their interest in the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme, and took part in the Auditions, to carry on with their passion in performing arts and to continue to nature and bring out the best of talents for the Kingdom of eSwatini .

MINERVA AUDITIONS AND CASTING / RESULTS TO BE REVEALED SOON

It was impressive to witness the number of artists who attended the Auditions launched and organized by MINERVA in cooperation with the ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE MBABANE on September 24th, under the EUROPEAN UNION co-funded Programme “EUnited Arts of Swaziland”.

One full day of performances by Swazi pop, rap and traditional singers, dancers, poets and musicians who expressed their talents in front of an international panel of experts on the equipped stage located in the beautiful garden of the Alliance Francaise .

Among them, only 3 Groups will have the chance to join the “Dream Team” and to perform in one of the following two EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festivals Editions by January 2019.

“I am really impressed by all this capacity by Minerva, with the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, to organize, together with the Malandzela Primary School and the local communities in the rural area of Eluvinjelweni, the third Edition of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival. I am happy the rural communities have been involved in this cultural movement that the European Union is trying to encourage to support the expression of culture for all Swati individuals, both in urban and rural areas”, EU Ambassador to eSwatini, Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, said during the opening remarks at the III Edition of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival, at Malandzela Primary School.

Thank you, EU Ambassador and the European Union for co-funding the Minerva – EUnited Arts of Swaziland Project, and Thank you Eluvinjelweni.

THANK YOU MUSA!

“The show was a great Festival, especially the experience of travelling to as far as Malandzela to perform. It was exciting to be with other artists who understood the importance of teamwork. As artists, we gave our best performance. The set up was breathtaking. We thank Minerva and EU for such exposure”, Musa said to Minerva.

Thanks to you,Musa, for being part of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival, III Edition!

THANK YOU BHEKI NHLEKO!

“It was a good event and thanks to Minerva that as Dream Team artists we were able to work hard as a team and produced good result during the Festival. I was very happy with the attendance and response by the local community especially the children. The EUnited Arts IIIEdition helped open our eyes as artists to reach out to the communities which we live at. It was a very good experience for me as an artist. Thank you and we hoping for more of such initiatives”, Bheki said to Minerva.

Thanks to you, Bheki, for being part of the successful EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival, III Edition!

THANK YOU WANDILE – DJ OSBIPLO!

“It was an amazing experience! Malandzela was awesome and it was a once in a life time experience; and thank you for showing us where the root of music begins”, Wandile said to Minerva Team.

Thanks to you, Wandile, for participating at the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival, III Edition!

THANK YOU, ZAKHELE!

“It was a wonderful experience especially to perform in front of a young generation in the rural area, though they look amazed they responded positive to the music. Thank you so much Minerva, EU and Alliance Francaise”, Zakhele said to Minerva Team.

Thanks to you, Zakhele, for being part of the successful EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival, III Edition!

CONGRATULATIONS TO CLEOPATRA!

Cleopatra Methula, Dream Team member of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme, has been nominated to participate in the 10th edition of the Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards to be hosted in November 2019.

“I am excited about the nomination, I’ts a big thing for my music career. For my music to be recognized and loved overseas It’s a great honor”, Cleopatra said to Minerva Team.

“The trip is not funded by the Texas Sound international country music awards thus as an artist I seek for financial assistance from any company or organisation, I will be doing fundraising shows and more to try and raise enough funds for the trip. For me this is Big, I’ve always been a big dreamer, hard work and never giving up has brought such an opportunity to me”, she said.

In regards of her recent participation at the third Edition of EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival (photo):

“Being part of Minerva’s III edition was a very great experience. For me it’s something that I felt made a great impact to the people of Malandzela. I was really happy to have been part of such an event. Minerva in partnership with the EU and the Alliance Francaise has done a great job in elevating the art of Swaziland”.

A huge thank to the Time of eSwatini and to the Swazi Observer for the beautiful words spent to describe the III Edition of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival and, above all, for covering the Event in the rural area of Eluvinjelweni.

EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVAL – III EDITION, GO RURAL!

ONE MORE SUCCESS FOR THE MINERVA – EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND, WHICH ‘GOES’ RURAL!

The wave of the success of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festivals does not flinch but rather strengthens in its III Edition in the rural area of Eluvinjelweni Area, at Malandzela Primary School. The amazing energy from the children and local communities representatives has fueled the perfect engine of the Festival designed and organized by Minerva, co-funded by the European Union, present with the EU delegation headed by the EU Ambassador to eSwatini, Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, with the support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane.

Follow us in the coming hours and days to discover protagonists, faces, videos of the best Music Show in the rural Kingdom of eSwatini!

OPEN INVITATION TO THE KINGDOM OF ESWATINI / (We Promised, and We Do It)

Minerva proudly presents, at the honorable presence of the EU Ambassador to eSwatini, H.E. Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, the EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVAL – III Edition:b“GO RURAL! The Music and its Artists in the places where the young authentic Swazi folk spirit is born”. A Music Show designed and implemented by MINERVA, co-funded by the EUROPEAN UNION, and organized with the support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Regional Educational Office on formal mandate of the Ministry of Education. A Dream Team of Swazi singers, musicians, film makers, light and sound technicians and event organizers, headed by Minerva with the support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, will move the organizational machine of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festivals in the MALANDZELA PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL, Eluvinjelweni area, Hhohho Region. As promised by Minerva in July 2018, the Show “is a pillar in the history of the Kingdom and a strong message to the national and international stakeholders, investments on arts and culture can involve rural areas and people living far from the cities who deserve to be involved in the virtuous cycle of Arts and Culture which has been created by Minerva with the financial support of the European Union through the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme. We will show that this challenge is not only feasible, but a successful and replicable model”. Finally revealed the Swati Stars who will brighten the special stage of the III Festival:

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29TH, 11AM, MALANDZELA PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL, ELUVINJELWENI AREA, HHOHHO REGION. THE EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND DREAM TEAM WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU.

MINERVA AUDITIONS AND CASTING /

ANNOUNCEMENT TO MUSICIANS, SINGERS, DANCERS.

MINERVA, in cooperation with the ALLIANCE FRANCAISE de MBABANE, under the European Union funded Project “EUnited Arts of Swaziland”, invite all interested musicians, singers, dancers to present their works and performances in an Audition which will be held on Monday September 24th 2018, from 9am to 4.30pm, at The Alliance Francaise de Mbabane (located behind Ministry of Education, Mbabane).

Each artist will have 10 minutes to present a maximum of 2 original songs/performances.

ARTISTS WHO ARE INTERESTED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE AUDITIONS MUST WRITE AND SEND A MANDATORY PRIVATE MESSAGE THROUGH FACEBOOK PAGE (“MINERVA EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND”) TO BOOK THE AUDITION. Auditions will be held on the 24th of September 2018 and are subject to time availability (9am-4.30pm). Therefore, we invite all interested artists to write the abovementioned “Message” as soon as possible.

A Panel of International and Swazi experts will evaluate each performance.

The artists who will be selected by the Panel will have the chance to join the “Dream Team” and to perform in one of the following EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festivals Editions by January 2019.

Don’t lose this chance, book your Audition soon.

We will be waiting for your talents!

LATEST NEWS:

THE III EDITION OF THE EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVAL… WILL GO RURAL!

Riccardo Severi, Minerva Project Manager: “Swazi people who live in the rural areas deserve to join and to benefit the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme.

Therefore it has been decided: the III Edition of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival will be organized by Minerva, with the financial support of the European Union and the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, in a rural area.

It will be a pillar in the history of the Kingdom and a strong message to the national and international stakeholders, investments on arts and culture can involve rural areas and rural people. We will show that this challenge is not only feasible, but a successful and replicable model. The virtuous cycle which has been created by Minerva with the financial support of the European Union through the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme is rapidly growing in the Kingdom among people and stakeholders. And now it is time to involve in this cycle people living far from the cities. Rural eSwatini, we are coming!”

Latest news will be released soon… follow us!

RELEASED THE VIDEO CLIPS OF THE ARTISTS

WHO PERFORMED AT THE II EDITION OF THE EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND

For those who missed the II Edition EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival, “THEY ARE BACK”, and would like to know more about the Musicians who brought their great performances, Minerva EUnited YOUTUBE CHANNEL released their video clips to introduce themselves!

EU Ambassador to eSwatini, Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, dancing on the stage sorrounded by kids and the Dream Team at the end of the Show

Minerva Project Manager, Riccardo Severi, during the opening remarks.

Pachanga

Spirits Indigenous (Thobile and Bongiwe) joined by kids dancing their music on the floor

Bongiwe (Spirits Indigenous)

EU AMBASSADOR TO ESWATINI, ESMERALDA HERNANDES ARAGONES:

“SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN UNION AND SWAZI ARTISTS”

“Swazi artists are taking advantage of this Project not only for the Laboratory and its spaces with free access but also for themselves, to develop their capacities in Arts and in the management of events. All together as a unique Team they will perform much better”, the EU Ambassador Esmeralda Hernandes Aragonez said during the opening remarks at the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival, II Edition. “This Project and these consecutive events are also creating a special link between the European Union and the Swazi Artists. I think is very important to create this friendship, this is a thing that will last and create the base for a lot of artists to grow up”.

(photo credit: Swazi Observer)

ONE MORE GREAT SUCCESS FOR THE II EDITION OF THE EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVAL!

It was a great success the II Edition of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival last Saturday night at the Swaziland Theater Club opened by the EU Ambassador to Swaziland, Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones.

An Event organized under a wider Project to boost the economy of Arts and Culture in Eswatini, designed and headed by Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and developed with the support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Swaziland Theater Club.

This II Edition, for the first time, was fully realized by a Dream Team of Swazis Musicians, Light and Sound Technicians, Film Makers and event organizer professionals trained in 2017 who worked as a unique Team under the coordination of the Art Director, Rok Kosir. They did a great job and we congratulate with them!

The elegance KHOLE, the mordant words which empowers women by BEKO The Story Teller (SWAMA nomination for Best Poet), the powerful energy of PACHANGA and of her musicians (including the Dream Team member Bheki), the great charm of the music of mother earth by Spirits Indigenous (Thobile and Bongiwe) and the electric and involvement sound of WANDILE DEEJAY and the smart experienced MC Nana Sambo turned the stage on fire, with excitement of a filled Theater Club.

Thank you everyone and to the Swazi Observer and the Times of Swaziland for their beautiful reportages and also for keeping their attention with professionality not only toward the EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND, for which we are grateful, but for becoming more and more a point of reference to all Artists and Swazis who are hunger of Culture in the Kingdom.

“THEY ARE BACK” – ‘ Swati Artists, they are the Stars of the music scene of eSwatini’.

A Music Show designed and implemented by MINERVA, co-funded by the EUROPEAN UNION, and organized with the support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Swaziland Theater Club with a Dream Team of Swati Musicians, Film Makers, Event Organizers and Lighting and Sound Technicians.

Finally revealed the Swati Stars who will brighten the stage of the Theater Club:

THE EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND DREAM TEAM WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU, DON’T MISS IT!

MINERVA TEAM

MINERVA PRESS RELEASE

“THEY ARE BACK” .

‘ SWAZI ARTISTS, THEY ARE THE STARS OF THE MUSIC SCENE OF ESWATINI’ – MUSIC SHOW.

REVEALED THE DATE OF THE II EDITON OF THE EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVAL: SATURDAY JULY 14TH, 6PM, SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB (FREE ENTRANCE).

Minerva is happy to announce the date of the II Edition of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival: SATURDAY JULY 14TH, 6PM, SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB.

The II Edition of the Festival, designed and headed by Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and organized with the support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Swaziland Theater Club, will be performed, at the honorable presence of the EU Ambassador, H.E. Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, by some of the best Swati DREAM TEAM of Musicians, lighting and sound Technicians, Film Makers and Organizers of eSwatini.

We would like to share with all the supporters of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme the beautiful and encouraging Poem sent to Minerva.Thanks Gcinile for your words, we are grateful and we are proud to have you with us in the Dream Team as one of the first professional women in Lighting and Sound in the Kingdom of eSwatini.

“I’ve been searching But couldn’t find, I was willing to shinebut couldn’t help myself.

I tried, I failed, I feltI lay sprawling in the gully Valleys of my ignorancewith no one to turn to.

I searched but nothing To find I sat on top of my artistic work Until I heard a small voice whispering It whispered in my ears ‘MINERVA EUnited Arts’.Attentively I listened to it But there was a big flag of ignorance that wasWaving in my sight. I see beyond my talentsUntil I heard a voice whispering ‘MINERVA SWAZILAND’.

With great eagerness, I listened to the soft voiceThis word ‘minerva’ sounded like Music to my ears.‘Minerva, minerva!’Where have you been.I have been waiting for you all these years For you to empower me as a woman To help me outshine my talents To help me discover who I Am.

With you I am a technician With you I can sing With you I am a videographerWith you I can feed my family through my talents

Minerva The skills you gave me will help me to conquer the world For I have been blind my entire life With you my eyes are wide open For I was a laywoman that was Ignorance striken for my entire life.

Swazi Arts are revealed You rescued us as Swati people ‘Minerva Minerva’Where do you come from with such great generosity? Who is your Mother? Do you have a father?

16 MONTHS OF ACHIEVIEMENTS TO SUPPORT ARTS AND CULTURE IN ESWATINI AND THE FIRST EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND VIDEO CLIP… ENJOY IT!

– 200 hours of Professional Trainings to 63 Swati individuals, selected through a democratic process, in the field of Arts and Culture Business, Production and Promotion delivered by MINERVA with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Swaziland Theater Club(Music, Film Making, Communications, Events Organization, Production, Lighting and Sound), including the 6 first Women Technicians in Lighting and Sound in the history of eSwatini.

– More than 33 Swati engaged by Minerva in the development of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme

– The establishment of the first equipped multidisciplinary Laboratory of eSwatini to serve as a daily open and free space, with free entrance, for artists, cultural operators and all Swati citizens.

– A new Lighting and Sound Equipment purchased and delivered from Europe to re-launch the Swaziland Theater Club and support artists and cultural promoters and operators

– The launch of the “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVAL”, 5 Editions within January 2019, developed by a Dream Team of Swati Artists and Professionals trained by Minerva. The first Edition realized with great success on May 19, the second to be launched in these days.

– The establishment of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association to support Arts and Culture in the Country, to foster the networking among artists and stakeholders, which is inspired by Democratic and Human Rights principles and to promote Freedom of Expression.

– A new dedicated song to the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme.

Thank you to the European Union for co-funding the Mineva Project and Thank you to the brave Swati people who face daily challenges to live in support of Arts and Culture in the Kingdom of eSwatini.

MINERVA – EU PROJECT IN SUPPORT OF TECHNICAL PROFESSIONS AND WOMEN EMPOWERMENT IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE OF ESWATINI.

We congratulate to the 10 Swazis who attended with success, on a daily basis, five intensive Minerva Training days in LIGHTING and SOUND and who achieved their Certificates as Professionals.

Among them, the 6 first Women Technicians in Lighting and Sound in the history of eSwatini.

The Technicians, pre-selected by the Swaziland Theater Club and Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, have been trained by the Minerva Italian Expert, Paolo Meglio, and they received their “EUnited Arts of Swaziland – Dream Team Membership Cards”.

Thanks to their strong technical skills achieved, they will be engaged by Minerva to work as professionals in the “EUnited Arts of Swaziland” Programme and Festivals in 2018, as they have been chosen as the unique Professionals who will manage the new Lighting and Sound System that has been purchased by Minerva with the financial support of the European Union, and recently delivered from Italy to eSwatini.

“BRAVO Minerva Project! Thanks to the Minerva Project, a project under the European Union, forgotten Swazi artists have been brought back to life”.

And Bravo and many thanks to You, Times of Swaziland and Ms Phumelele Mkhonta,for this beautiful and long article to our Project, with an interview with the Minerva Dream Team – Project Coordinator, Ms Nqobile Jele.

THANK YOU SWAZI MEDIA!

We would like to express our gratitude to the Media coverage for the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival with the dedicated pages by the Swazi Observers, the Times of Swaziland, and for the 3 minutes News broadcasted by the SwaziTV and by the SBIS Swazi Radio News.

GREAT SUCCESS FOR THE FIRST EDITIONS OF “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVAL”!

It was an impressive success last Saturday night, May 19, at the Swaziland Theater Club for the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival – I Edition, designed and developed by the Italian no profit Organization Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Swaziland Theater Club.

After a warm greet to the public of the EU Ambassador, Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, and the brief introduction of the Minerva Project Manager, Riccardo Severi, 16 Swazi Musicians, under the coordination of the Italian Art Director Erasmo Treglia, performed Gospel, Country, Ethno, Pop, Jazz music which enlightening the enthusiastic audience of a full Theater with the coverage of the main media of the Country. Zakhele, Pachanga, Khole, Cleopatra, Zithile, Beko the Storyteller, Spirit Indigenous (Bongiwe and Thobile), Thembela, Tindzaba Temdzabu (Musa, Sanele, Bheki) Wandile and few special guests were introduced by Video-Clips describing the artists and their original works performed by Swazi Filmakers, coordinated by Chiara Carbone. The stage was equipped with a new Lighting and Sound System delivered from Italy to Swaziland, which was managed by Swazi Technicians in Lighting and Sound trained by Minerva, under the direction of the Italian Paolo Meglio, including the first 6 Swazi Women professionals in lighting and Sound in the history of eSwatini.

The Festival concluded with all musicians on stage singing the original Jingle/song of the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme. This first of five editions by 2018 was entitled: “Performing Arts are made by Artists. You support Swazi Artists, you develop Arts in Swaziland”, to highlight the fundamental role of these “brave talented Swazi stars who face daily challenges to live in support of Arts and Culture in Swaziland, who deserve to be supported and encouraged and to who should go the biggest thanks and gratitude of all of us”, Mr. Riccardo Severi said. The Photo Exhibition “Breathing the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival”, coordinated by Claudio Grazani, was also an attractive stage for the public.

An ongoing training in Technicians of Lighting and Sound is taking place these days under the coordination and the supervision of Mr Paolo Meglio, an Italian skilled and experienced Technician in the Country for this purpose.

Among the 10 beneficiaries of the Training, the first six Women Lighting and Sound Technicians in the Kingdom of eSwatini.

Don’t miss the Music Show on Saturday, 6PM! Entrance FOR FREE. You can get the no cost Membership Card directly on Saturday or receive it in advance every day, from 9am to 6pm, at the Swaziland Theater Club / EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association Desk.

A Music and Performing Arts Festival, WITH FREE ENTRANCE, designed by Minerva and co-funded by the European Union, under the Project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and with the Swaziland Theater Club.

The FESTIVAL presents on stage at the Swaziland Theater Club, which will be equipped with a NEW LIGHTING AND SOUND SISTEM purchased in the framework of the Minerva – EU co-funded Project, some of the best Swazi Musicians in the Country and it will be organized by a Staff of group Film Makers and Event Organizers who have been trained by Minerva in 2017/2018.

During the Music Show, VIDEO-CLIPS to present the artists involved in the Festival will be screened.

The PHOTO EXHIBITION “Breathing EUnited Arts of Swaziland” will also be set up in the Theater space.

The doors of the Swaziland Theater Club open at 6pm for the public registration. The event will mark the start at 6.45pm.

The entrance is for free, subject to space availability, and only for Eunited Arts of Swaziland Association Members. To receive the Membership card (for free), please ask the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association Desk to the Swaziland Theater Club from Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm. Or the same day of the Event, within 6:30pm (Members must bring with their EUnited Arts of Swaziland membership cards).

INVITATION

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Swaziland Festival – I Edition“Performing Arts are made by Artists.You support Swazi Artists, You develop Arts in Swaziland”

MUSIC SHOW

A programme co-funded by the EUROPEAN UNION
with the Organizational support of
Alliance Francaise the Mbabane

SATURDAY MAY 19th 2018, 6:00PM, SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB

Minerva proudly presents, at the honorable presence of the EU Ambassador to Swaziland, H.E. Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival – I Edition “Performing Arts are made by Artists. You support Swazi Artists, You develop Arts in Swaziland”. A Music and Performing Arts Festival designed by Minerva and co-funded by the European Union, under the Project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and with the Swaziland Theater Club.

The Festival present on stage at the Swaziland Theater Club, which will be equipped with a new Lighting and Sound System purchased in the framework of the Minerva – EU co-funded Project, some of the best Swazi Musicians in the Country and it will be organized by a Staff of group Film Makers and Event Organizers who have been trained by Minerva in 2017/2018.

During the Music Show, video-clips to present the artists involved in the Festival will be screened.

The Photo Exhibition “Breathing EUnited Arts of Swaziland” will also be set up in the Theater space.

The doors of the Swaziland Theater Club open at 6pm for the public registration. The event will mark the start at 6.45pm.

The entrance is for free, subject to space availability, and only for Eunited Arts of Swaziland Association Members. To receive the Membership card (for free), please ask the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association Desk to the Swaziland Theater Club from Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm. Or the same day of the Event, within 6:30pm (Members must bring with their EUnited Arts of Swaziland membership cards).

The “MINERVA – EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” Programme aims to change the perception of Arts and Culture in Swaziland especially in “the career pyramid” through empowering individuals, in particular women, in their Art expertise as a way of making a living by: enhancing their artistic, technical and managerial skills; increasing performance opportunities and debates between artists and the public and private stakeholders; establishing open free spaces for artists and cultural operators; conducting a National research on Art, Culture and Business in the Country.

THIS IS THE (no cost) EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP CARD

BENEFITS:

– FREE ACCESS TO THE “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND MUSIC FESTIVAL” – I EDITION ON MAY 19th, 6PM, SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB

– FREE ACCESS TO THE UPCOMING 4 EDITIONS OF THE “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVAL” BY 2018

– FREE ACCESS TO THE FIRST LABORATORY OF SWAZILAND WITH A NEW LIGHTING AND SOUND EQUIPMENT and the support of Swazi technicians trained by Italian Minerva Experts (from May 21st)

Get your own free Membership Card, join (for free) the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association, established by the Italian no profit organization MINERVA, under the Project co-funded by the European Union “Professions in Music and the Visual Arts”, which aims to support the economic development of Arts and Culture in the Kingdom of eSwatini, and to support Swazi Artists and Swazi Stakeholders.
Individuals who are passionate about Arts and Culture are also very welcome to join the Association and the Membership Cards benefits even if they are not artists.

You can receive the Membership Card ONLY at the dedicated Desk at Swaziland Theater Club, open from Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm (Information Desk: +268 76706745). You just have to bring with you a copy of your ID for the registration of membership in the Association.

The EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association is inspired by democratic and human rights principles and against any form of ethnic, religion, gender, disability, generational and HIV discrimination.

PRESS RELEASE – THE LABORATORY WITH FREE ACCESS IS NOW OPEN!

THE FIRST MULTIDISCIPLINARY LABORATORY OF SWAZILAND, TO SERVE AS A FREE SPACE FOR ARTISTS AND CULTURAL OPERATORS, IS NOW OPEN AT THE SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY (9AM-6PM). BOOKING AT +268 76706745.

Minerva, the Swaziland Theater Club and the Alliance Francaise of Mbabane are happy to announce that the Permanent Laboratory is now open at the Swaziland Theater Club from Monday to Friday (9am-6pm), with the support of the European Union.

The access to the Laboratory for free for “EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association” Members. Membership is for free as well and the registration can be requested at the Laboratory Desk to the Swaziland Theater Club.

Swazi citizens have finally a multifunctional space for free dedicated to artists and cultural operators to organize meetings and debates, rehearsals, cultural trainings, and any cultural and performing arts purposes, with an encouragement to involve students, women and persons with disabilities.

The access is extremely easy and with no costs to be incurred, with the exception of 1 phone call (if you do not book in person at the Laboratory).

Individuals will have simply to

1.call the following dedicated number +268 76706745 to book the Laboratory open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (the Laboratory space can only be used by prior appointment).

2.Show up at the Laboratory at the exact day and time of booking with an ID which coincide with the same name and surname released during the booking.

3.Register at the dedicated Desk her/his membership (for free) at the Association EUnited Arts of Swaziland and receive (for free) the Membership Card.

4.Sign the basic Terms and Conditions provided at the Laboratory Desk.

5.Access (for free) to the Laboratory.

6. Enjoy!

We can’t wait to welcome you numerous and The EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme wish you happy, fruitful, Cultural days!

Permanent Laboratory – Terms and Conditions

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Minerva at the Kusile Breakfast show on Thursday the 8th of February 2018

We would like to thank the SwaziTV and Mr. Savior Kakama for inviting Minerva at the Kusile Breakfast show on Thursday the 8th of February 2018 to illustrate the Minerva Project co-funded by the European Union: “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”.
It was a great honor for Minerva, through the Project Manager Assistant, Ms. Nqobile Jele, to publicly illustrate to the Swazi Citizens the “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” Programme, which has been launched under the wider Project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS” and It is implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Swaziland Theater Club.
Ms. Nqobile Jele highlighted during the interview the aims of the project, sectors covered, the number of beneficiaries and the success indicators and in particular the establishment of the Eunited Arts of Swaziland Association and of the First Permanent Laboratory at the Swaziland Theatre Club, which will be fully operative in these coming days to serve as an open space with free access for Swazi Artists who will apply with no costs to be part of the Association Eunited Arts of Swaziland.
To strengthen these actions, a new Lighting and Sound equipment will be purchased by Minerva with the financial support of the European Union.
Details will be provided at soonest, follow us!

The EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND TEAM

Minerva proudly presents to the Public, at the honorable presence ofthe EU Ambassador to Swaziland H.E. ESMERALDA HERNANDEZ ARAGONES, the EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILANDTEAM of musicians, film makers and organizers who have been trained by MINERVA in 2017 with the financial support of the EUROPEAN UNION to organize as protagonists 5 Events in 2018 with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the SwazilandTheater Club.
“EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” is Programme launched under the Project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, designed and headed by Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and implemented with the organizational support oftheAlliance Francaise de Mbabane and with the Swaziland Theater Club.
Under this Programme, 5 events will be organized in 2018, a new lighting and sound equipment will be purchased to support the Industry ofArtsand Culture and to increase Artistic Performances and Exhibitions in the Country.

Many activities will be launched soon, follow us!

CEREMONY HELD LAST FRIDAY 26TH AT THE SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB

THE “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” TEAM PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC.

5 EVENTS TO BE LAUNCHED DURING 2018

THE FIRST LABORATORY FOR MUSICIAN AND CULTURAL OPERATORS OPEN (FOR
FREE) IN FEW DAYS AT THE SWAZILAND THEATER CUB

After one year of work behind the stage, The “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” TEAM of Musicians, Film Makers and Event Organizers , involved and trained by the Italian non profit Organization MINERVA in 2017, has received the Membership Card and has been presented to the public at the honorable attendance of the EU AMBASSADOR TO SWAZILAND, H.E. ESMERALDA HERNANDEZ ARAGONES who encouraged the Organizers and the new Team established of this Program headed by Minerva and co-funded by the European Union, with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Swaziland Theater Club, represented last Friday 26th by Valerie Munier, Director of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and by Ms. Sindi Nxumalo, Swaziland Theater Club Committee.
During the Ceremony, the first multidisciplinary open and free space Laboratory of Swaziland, fully operative at the Theater Club starting by February 2018, has been launched and the new Association of Artists and Cultural Operators, “EUnited Arts of Swaziland”, has been established, with the EU Ambassador who received the first Membership Card “Ad Honorem” by Mr Severi.
The second Part of the Ceremony included some Music performances under the brilliant coordination if the Italian Producer and Minerva expert, Erasmo Treglia.

PRESS REVIEW

2 pages published on the Sunday Edition dedicated to the ‘EUnited Arts of Swaziland’ Event and Programme!

EUNITED ARTS FOR SWAZILAND MEMBERS REVEALED:

By Lungile Lulane | 2018-01-28

Friday, the Swaziland Theatre Club hosted the EUNITED ARTS FOR SWAZILAND PROGRAM.

A program designed under the project professions in music and the visual arts, culture as a tool to empower civil society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland, headed by the Italian non profit organization Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and implemented with the Organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and with the Swaziland Theatre Club.

The main purpose for this event was the introduce the Event organizers, Musicians and film makers who have been trained by Minerva During 2017 under the EUnited Arts for Swaziland Program and the launch of the first laboratory of Swaziland. An open Space with free access for artists to use anytime they wish to improve skills. These are pictures from the event!

EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND MEMBERSHIP CEREMONY

Artists in the country have been extended a lifeline which will see them availed free spaces to showcase their talents going forward.

Not only that, artists will get access to a sound system which they will use for free in any venue of their choice as per arrangement with their organisation; EUnited Arts of Swaziland.

This was revealed during the closure of a workshop held at the Swaziland Theatre Club which culminated in the launch of Swazi Team Membership, a group of artists who will benefit from a European Union sponsorship programme designed under the project professions in music and the visual arts, culture as a tool to empower civil society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland.

The sponsorship programme is headed by an Italian non-profit organisation Minerva and it is co-funded by the European Union while implemented with the organisational support of the Alliance Française in collaboration with the Swaziland Theatre Club.

The launch is the first multi-disciplinary laboratory in the country to serve as an open free space for artists and cultural operators.

It was graced by the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Swaziland, Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, Minerva Project Manager Riccardo Severi, Alliance Française Director Valerie Munier; as well as local artists.

The event team members comprise local artists and event organisers who have been involved in an intensive professional training managed by Minerva since February 2017 in ‘Business and Arts’, ‘Film making and production’ as well as ‘Music production, promotion and co-ordination’.

Severi, while giving background of the EUNITED ARTS FOR SWAZILAND PROGRAMME which started in 2017, said; “After one year behind the stage, we are here today for a formal involvement in the organisation of five events in 2018 of an enthusiastic group of event organisers, musicians and film-makers who have been trained by Minerva and it is time to introduce them to the public.”

Severi described the laboratory as an open space with free access from morning to the afternoon to all artists and cultural operators of Swaziland who will apply, for free, to be a part of the EUnited Arts for Swaziland Association.

He said this space could be used by artists and cultural operators to organise rehearsals, debate on arts to improve skills and to better build artistic convincing proposals to be submitted and evaluated by the Swaziland Theatre Club and Alliance Française in Mbabane. In addition, he said Minerva would provide new lighting and a sound system which has been approved by the European Union and is due to be purchased in the next coming weeks.

support

Riccardo thanked the EU Ambassador for the moral and financial support and the members of the public who honoured their invitation.

The EU Ambassador said she thought arts and culture could be an excellent vehicle to promote freedom of expression and democracy, as these can open constructive dialogue on social and cultural issues. She said the two could be used to defend pluralism of civil society and the empowerment of women and girls while striving towards equity in the society and creative industry can generate revenue for artists; hence their capacity to live on their work on arts.

Hernandez Aragones said the project, through capacity building, aims to empower artists, especially women artists, by enhancing their artistic, technical, and managerial skills.

She expressed her gratitude to the strong interest and motivation shown by the artist participants while citing that some artists travelled long distances every morning and evening to attend the training workshops.

With the launch of the laboratory she wished Minerva, Swaziland Theatre Club and Alliance Française success as they undertake this project.

She further said that she looked forward to the establishment of local associations for artists and cultural operators as planned under this project, to contribute to the promotion and management of the artistic sector. The EU ambassador encouraged further development in the Swazi artistic scene. The event team members received their membership cards which were met with excitement. Some of the performances by the musicians such as Cleopetra who sang one of her songs Indilinga, Thobile playing the flute, Pachanga playing Makhoyane and Sanele playing drums showcased traditional music instruments. Themba thrilled with his song ubolalela which showcased his vocals. The crowd got up and danced to Zakhele Ginindza’s gospel tunes and dance moves.

SWAZI TEAM MEMBERSHIP CEREMONY and launch of THE FIRST MULTIDISCIPLINARY LABORATORY OF SWAZILAND to serve as an open and free space for artists and cultural operators.

Minerva proudly presents, at the honorable presence of the EU Ambassador to Swaziland, H.E.ESMERALDA HERNANDEZ ARAGONES, the Swazi Event Team Members of the “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND”, a Programme designed under the Project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, headed by the Italian non profit organization Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and with the Swaziland Theater Club.

The Action will be illustrated by Mr. RICCARDO SEVERI, Minerva Project Manager, Ms. VALERIE MUNIER, Director of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, MS. SINDI NXUMALO, Chair of the Swaziland Theater Club Committee.

The Event Team Members are composed by Swazi artists and event organizers who have been involved in intensive Professional Trainings managed by Minerva since February 2017 in “Business and Arts”, “Film Making and Production”, “Music Production, Promotion and Coordination” and who are currently working daily all together from Monday January 22 at the Swaziland Theater Club to organize as protagonists five Music/Performing Events in 2018, in Swaziland.

During the formal involvement Ceremony in the “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” PROGRAMME MEMBERSHIP, a PERMANENT LABORATORY FULLY OPERATIVE STARTING BY FEBRUARY 2018 will be launched at the Swaziland Theater Club.
IT IS THE FIRST MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPEN AND FREE SPACE/LAB IN SWAZILAND TO SERVE AS AN OPEN SPACE FOR ARTISTS AND CULTURAL OPERATORS.

Journalist Accreditation: minerva.swaziland@gmail.com

IV PROFESSIONAL TRAINING UNDER THE EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND PROGRAMME

We are happy to announce the forth Professional Training headed by Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, which will involve more than 50 best artists, film makers and event organizers of Swaziland who already achieved the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme certificate in 2017.

The EUnited Arts of Swaziland Dream Team will work intensively at the Swaziland Theater Club for 5 consecutive days, from Monday January 22, to Friday January 26, to organize a calendar of Performing Arts events to be held in Swaziland in 2018.

Erasmo Treglia

THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINER AND COORDINATOR IS:ERASMO TREGLIA. Ethnomusicologist, Musician and Music manager.

ERASMO IS:
Director of the International Folk Italian Festival “LA ZAMPOGNA”, Coordinator of the Festivals “Ottava Rima” and “Winter Meetings” which take place in the area of Rome and Artistic Director of the Festival “The Traianee” Fiumicino (Rome) and “Intermundia” of Rome (Intercultural and school);
Head of FINISTERRE / SUDNORD RECORDS, a record label specialized in the publication of ethno-musical materials and the production of folk revival and world music artists.
Coordinator of the network “Re.Fo.La. – Network of Folklore in New York”, a federation of folk festivals and events that take place in Italy;
Member of the Board of the EFWMF: European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals.
Italian member of the European Network WMRA, World Music in Rural Areas.
Member of the network of WOMEX: World Music Expo.
Scientific coordinator of the “Museum of Popular Musical Instruments of Region Lazio, Italy” and of the “Museum of Musical Traditions” (Arsoli, Rome);

AS A PERFORMER
Erasmo is musician and soloist in traditional music groups such as Acquaragia Drom, Epifani Barbers, Pizzicata Orchestra and others.
He has participated in numerous musical projects with artists of national and international relevance and he is currently implementing a project which involves the Italian well known musicians Acquaragia Drom, Piero Pelù and Eugene Hutz (Gogol Bordello).

AS A RESEARCHER, ETHNOMUSICOLOGIST AND MUSIC PRODUCER WORLDWIDE
He is author of numerous publications and he promotes musical reality in Italy and abroad in particular in the Mediterranean Basin.
He has conducted and realized dozens of researchers on the subject of music and music production worldwide. Among other countries, in India, Mongolia, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Turkey, Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and, in Africa, in Tunisia, Ethiopia, Togo, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and Mozambique.

ERASMO TREGLIA is already involved in a National Research on Arts and Business in Swaziland and he can’t wait to work with the excellence of Swazi Artists involved in the EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND PROGRAMME, headed by Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane.

Minerva Training in “Music Production, Promotion and Coordination”.

3° PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSE IN “MUSIC PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND COORDINATION”.

Best Congratulations to the Swazi Musicians who attended with success, on a daily basis, the 5 – days Minerva Training in “Music Production, Promotion and Coordination”. The release of Certificates took place last Saturday November 17th at the Swaziland Theater Club, at the presence of the EU Delegation Representative, Mr. Filip De Loof. This Training is the third step of the 2 year Programme “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND”, designed and promoted by the Italian non for profit organization MINERVA, with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane. All our gratitude to the European Union and to the EU Delegation to Swaziland for co-funding and strongly supporting this Programme.

Special thanks to our Trainers Rok Kosir and Claudio Graziani for their great job.

“EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND”: many activities have yet to be launched. Don’t miss them. Follow us!

3° PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSE IN “MUSIC PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND COORDINATION”.

SELECTED CANDIDATES.

We are happy to inform that the selection process for the Training in “MUSIC PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND COORDINATION. Professional skills for entry into the artistic labor market” (From Monday 13 to Friday November 17), developed by Minerva and co-funded by the European Union, with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, has been finalized.

Congratulations and our gratitude to those candidates who sent their applications and showed their interest in the “EUnited Arts of Swaziland” Programme.

THE SECOND INTERNATIONAL TRAINER IS: “CLAUDIO GRAZIANI”

Photography is utmost Claudio Graziani’s passion as it provides a platform to express life in his own perspective.
A passion that few years ago drove him to a new life regardless of the obstacles and challenges.
Freelance photographer, expert in Street Photography (Stefano Mirabella Studio), Nature Photography (Simone Sbaraglia Studio), Post Production, Photoshop and Photography Techniques/Social Media Platforms, in the past ten years Claudio has refined his skills and style in Reportage and Portraiture, delivering presentations and exhibitions in Rome, Italy.
Travelling is and has been the strong drive that has nourished his keen interest on the environment and people. Being exposed to diverse cultures, religions and different populations has enriched him as Claudio arrived to the conclusion that one has to live in this world with entirety rather than the partiality we are accustomed to.
He has travelled extensively around the world with special focus, in the past decade, on Southern Africa covering countries like Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Swaziland among others.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IN “MUSIC PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND COORDINATION” (few days more to apply!)

THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINER IS: “ROK KOSIR” Rok Kosir is a graduate ethnologist and cultural anthropologist with a Master’s degree from the Ljubljana Faculty of Arts on the music of Mali.

He has travelled and worked extensively in Africa, and is an expert on African and nomadic culture and music. This has led to occasional collaborations with Glitterbeat, liaising with musicians and helping to record albums by several African artists (Lobi Traore, Tamikrest, Ben Zabo, Dirtmusic) for a label that has just won the WOMEX LABEL of the Year award for the fourth year in a row. In 2006 Kosir began to work with the DRUGA GODBA FESTIVAL, which takes place annually in Ljubljana and is the most important ‘world music’ festival not only in Slovenia but in Central Europe as a whole. In its thirty-three years, the festival has hosted many of the biggest names on the scene, including Salif Keita, Cesaria Evora, Khaled, Youssou N’Dour and Baaba Maal, among many others. He has served as the director of ZAVOD DRUGA GODBA Ljubljana, which organises the festival, since 2013; in that time he has produced and promoted between 15 and 25 concerts a year, many of them featuring African artists. At Zavod Druga Godba, he is also responsible for the DruGod record label and the booking agency. As Druga Godba director he has been active within the EUROPEAN FORUM OF WORLDWIDE MUSIC FESTIVALS (EFWMF), the most important European network for festivals, currently numbering forty-three, that share the vision of the world as a patchwork of local traditions and musics, each different in expression and content yet equal in value. It continuously seeks to facilitate and intensify links with non-European festivals and other networks within the world music community, in addition to maintaining lines of communication with organisations dealing with general issues of importance to event organisers. The network is well connected to the world outside Europe as well, not only through its associate members, but also as a result of intense formal and informal networking.In 2016 Kosir joined the management board of the Slovenian Music Information Centre (SIGIC), with a special remit to establish a Slovenian music export office.

CALL for participation at the Third Training Course

“MUSIC PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND COORDINATION. PROFESSIONAL SKILLS FOR ENTRY INTO THE ARTISTIC LABOR MARKET”

is now open

DOWNLOAD THE TRANINING OFFICIAL CALL

the training is part of the project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, co-funded by the European Union and Minerva. The training will be held from Monday NOVEMBER 13th to Friday NOVEMBER 17th at theSwaziland Theater Club (8AM – 5PM), Box 401, MBABANE The application form at the training must be submitted by completing the following template. The subscribers will have to demonstrate in their Motivational Letters previous significant experiences in the field of Music Production and/or Promotion and/or Coordination. Minerva will not consider eligible applications by candidates who already have been selected and achieved a Certificate under the “EUnited Arts of Swaziland” Programme. Minerva will accept only the applications duly completed and received within Saturday October 28th 2017 at the email address: minerva.trainings@gmail.com. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. Letter to be submitted by the applicant ——————-Request I REQUEST to participate at the training in “MUSIC PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND COORDINATION”. whose contents are “PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND MASTERY OF MUSIC NOTATION CODES, TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY AND CONSCIOUSLY FOR ENTRY INTO THE ARTISTIC LABOR MARKET”. ENSURING MY PRESENCE TO ATTEND IT the whole duration, 5 days (40 HOURS), from fMonday NOVEMBER 13th to Friday NOVEMBER 17th at the Swaziland Theater Club (8AM – 5PM), Box 401, MBABANE BEING AWARE THAT A MINERVA-EU CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE RELEASED exclusively IF ATTENDING THE WHOLE length OF THE TRAINING. BEING AWARE THAT I WILL BE INVOLVED IN FURTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE PROGRAMME “MINERVA – EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” exclusively IF ATTENDING THE WHOLE length OF THE TRAINING. BEING AWARE that meals and transports costs for each day will be covered by Minerva. I attach, UNDER REQUEST: MY National Identification card A BRIEF MOTIVATIONAL LETTER IN WHICH IT IS STATED: title of study declaration Declaration of residence phone number e-mail A DESCRIPTION ON MYSELF AND ON MY INTEREST IN THE TRAINING date, name, surname, address. ______ the current REQUEST, properly completed, must be submitted WITHIN OCTOBER 28th, 2017 to the following e-mailminerva.trainings@gmail.com good luck! general conditions PARTICIPANTS WILL NOT BEAR ANY COST OF ATTENDANCE. transports and meals will be offered. ACCOMODATION IS NOT PROVIDED. DUE TO A RESTRICTED NUMBER OF EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS, MINERVA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SELECT THE CANDIDATES CANDIDATURES WHO HAVE BEEN ALREADY SELECTED TO ATTEND THE FIRST OR THE SECOND TRAINING UNDER THE “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” PROGRAMME WON’T BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THE PROJECT IS ORGANIZED AND co-funded by the European Union and Minerva, head of the project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”. The Training in “Music Production, Promotion and Coordination” is implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane.

“Film Making and Film Production”

Minerva Training in “Film Making and Film Production”

Congratulations to the beneficiaries of the 5 – days Minerva Training in “Film Making and Film Production” which ended last Friday October 6th at the Swaziland Theater Cub with the release of certificates at the presence of the EU Delegate, Mr Allen Dlamini, the Minerva Staff and the Director of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, Ms Valerie Munier. The Training is the second step of the Programme “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND”, designed and promoted by the Italian non for profit organization MINERVA, co-funded by the European Union, to whom goes our gratitude for investing in Arts and Culture in Swaziland and for the trust in Minerva, with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise. Special thanks to the super Trainers Giorgia Farina and Brett Michael Innes for their great work and passion. We look forward to see you again in Swaziland!“FILM MAKING AND FILM PRODUCTION”. TRAINERS AND TRAINEES AT WORK. THE FIRST OF THE 5 TRAINING DAYS ON “FILM MAKING AND FILM PRODUCTION” MARKED THE START. (40 HOURS, from Monday OCTOBER 2nd to Friday OCTOBER 6th – 8 hours for day, SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB, MBABANE) The Training on “Film Making and Film Production”, part of the wider “EUnited Arts of Swaziland” Programme co-funded by the European Union, promoted and leaded by Minerva with the support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, this morning marked the start at the Swaziland Theater Club with an opening introduction of Riccardo Severi, Project Manager of Minerva, Valerie Munier, Director of the Alliance Francaise, Giorgia Farina and Brett Michael Innes, the international film-makers and producers coming from Italy and South Africa to bring their strong successful experiences.

2° TRAINING COURSE ON “FILM MAKING FOUNDATION”. SELECTED CANDIDATES. We are happy to inform that the selection process for the Training in “FILM MAKING FOUNDATION: STORY TELLING AND FILM PRODUCTION. How to create a story, how to realize it, how to budget and manage a film production” (2nd- 6th October 2017, Swaziland Theater Club), developed by Minerva and co-funded by the European Union, with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, has been completed.

SECOND TRAINING IN “”FILM MAKING”. ONE MORE INTERNATIONAL TRAINER IN THE TEAM: “BRETT MICHAEL INNES”. We are happy to announce that the upcoming Training “Film Making Foundation: story telling and film production” will have 2 International Trainers: the well-known young Italian film-maker Giorgia Farina (see her Bio below) and Brett Michael Innes, a writer and a film producer from South Africa. Born and raised in Johannesburg, Brett Michael Innes is the writer and director of the SAFTA-winning film “Sink”. He is also the author of the South African best-seller “The Story of Racheltjie de Beer” and “Rachel Weeping”, the novel on which “Sink” was based on.

SECOND TRAINING IN “”FILM MAKING”. THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINER IS: “GIORGIA FARINA”

Giorgia Farina

Giorgia’s fascination with film starts at a young age. After gaining a BA in Sociology she is accepted to the MFA in Film at Columbia University. During those years she wrote and directed many short films that screened at festivals such as Venice Film Festival (SF competition) and won several accolades, among which the NBR grant best student film. She has worked as a script editor and directed a documentary, “Bello di Mamma” (2012), that has been broadcasted on national TV.In 2013 at age 28, she wrote and directed her first feature film “Amiche da Morire”, a black comedy that tackles the role of women in Italy, that has had a success at the box office and won many awards across Italy. Her second film “Ho ucciso Napoleone” (2015), has been positively reviewed and has been distributed across in Italy and abroad. Her work has received various accolades such as Best script at the Italian Golden Globes, and has been nominated Best New Director at the prestigious David di Donatello (Italian Academy awards). THERE IS STILL TIME TO APPLY YOUR SUBMISSIONS, DON’T MISS IT!

CALL for participation at the Second training course

“FILM MAKING FOUNDATION: STORY TELLING AND FILM PRODUCTION”

DOWNLOAD THE TRANINING OFFICIAL CALL

starting from Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day starting from Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day the training is part of the project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, co-funded by the European Union and Minerva.The training will be held from Monday OCTOBER 2nd to Friday OCTOBER 6that Swaziland Theater Club (8AM – 5PM), Box 401, MBABANE The application form at the training must be submitted by completing the following template ———–letter to be submitted by the applicant——————-Requesti REQUEST to participate at the training on “FILM MAKING FOUNDATION: STORY TELLING AND FILM PRODUCTION”whose contents are “HOW TO CREATE A STORY, HOW TO REALIZE IT, HOW TO BUDGET AND MANAGE A FILM PRODUCTION”.ENSURING MY PRESENCE TO ATTEND IT the whole duration, 5 days (40 HOURS), from Monday OCTOBER 2nd to Friday OCTOBER 6th, at Swaziland Theater Club (8am – 5pm), Box 401, MBABANE.BEING AWARE THAT A MINERVA-EU CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE RELEASED exclusively IF ATTENDING THE WHOLE length OF THE TRAINING. BEING AWARE THAT I WILL BE INVOLVED IN FURTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE PROGRAMME “MINERVA – EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” exclusively IF ATTENDING THE WHOLE length OF THE TRAINING. BEING AWARE that meals and transports costs for each day will be covered by Minerva.I attach, UNDER REQUEST:

MY National Identification card

A BRIEF MOTIVATIONAL LETTER IN WHICH IT IS STATED:

title of study declaration

Declaration of residence

phone number

e-mail

A DESCRIPTION ON MYSELF AND ON MY INTEREST IN THE TRAINING

date, name, surname, address.______the current REQUEST, properly completed, must be submitted WITHIN AUGUST 30, 2017 TO the following e-mailminerva.trainings@gmail.comgeneral conditions

PARTICIPANTS WILL NOT BEAR ANY COST OF ATTENDANCE. transports and meals will be offered.

ACCOMODATION IS NOT PROVIDED.

DUE TO A RESTRICTED NUMBER OF EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS, MINERVA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SELECT THE CANDIDATES

CANDIDATURES WHO HAVE BEEN ALREADY SELECTED TO ATTEND THE FIRST TRAINING WON’T BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION

THE PROJECT IS ORGANIZED AND co-funded by the European Union and Minerva, head of the project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”.

THE FIRST TRAINING ON “ARTS AND BUSINESS” MARKED ITS CONCLUSION WITH SUCCESS LAST FRIDAY, JULY 28TH 2017. First step of the “EUnited Arts of Swaziland” Programme accomplished with success. Thank you European Union in Swaziland for the support in the Programme, thank you Minerva local and international Staff who is working in the backstage, with particular thanks to Francesca Silvestri for sharing competences and skills in this first Training, and congratulations to our beneficiaries: we look forward to involve you in the further steps of the Programme.

A special thanks goes to the EU Ambassador Nicola Bellomo, for his extraordinary support in Arts and Culture in the Country. Swaziland, and Minerva, will miss you.

First Training Course

“Arts and Business” from 24th to 28th July 2017 at”Mountain Inn Hotel”

CALL FOR PARTICIPATION AT THE TRAINING COURSE “ARTS AND BUSINESS”

DOWNLOAD THE TRANINING OFFICIAL CALL

(40 HOURS, FROM MONDAY JULY 24TH TO FRIDAY JULY 28TH, 8 HOURS FOR DAY, MOUNTAIN INN HOTEL, MBABANE) IS NOW OPENTHE TRAINING IS PART OF THE PROJECT “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. CULTURE AS A TOOL TO EMPOWER CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE CREATIVE ENGINE TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SWAZILAND”, CO-FUNDED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND MINERVA. THE TRAINING WILL BE HELD FROM MONDAY 24th JULY TO FRIDAY 28TH JULY 2017 AT “MOUNTAIN INN” – MSEBE ROAD, PO BOX 223, MBABANE, HHOHHO H100.

THE APPLICATION FORM AT THE TRAINING MUST BE SUBMITTED BY COMPLETING THE FOLLOWING TEMPLATE ———–

LETTER TO BE SUBMITTED BY THE APPLICANT ——-

REQUEST

I REQUEST TO PARTICIPATE AT THE TRAINING ON “ARTS AND BUSINESS”,

WHOSE CONTENTS ARE “VISUAL ART COORDINATION: HOW TO ORGANIZE, PROMOTE AND MANAGE AN ARTISTIC EVENT. HOW TO CREATE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OUT OF ARTISTIC PRODUCTION”,

ENSURING MY PRESENCE TO ATTEND IT THE WHOLE DURATION, 5 DAYS (40 HOURS), FROM MONDAY JULY 24TH TO FRIDAY JULY 28TH (2017), 8 HOURS FOR DAY (8:00-17), MOUNTAIN INN HOTEL, MBABANE.

BEING AWARE THAT A MINERVA-EU CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE RELEASED EXCLUSIVELY IF ATTENDING THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE TRAINING.

BEING AWARE THAT I WILL BE INVOLVED IN FURTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE PROGRAMME “MINERVA – EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” EXCLUSIVELY IF ATTENDING THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE TRAINING BEING AWARE THAT MEALS AND TRANSPORTS COSTS FOR EACH DAY WILL BE COVERED BY MINERVA.

I ATTACH, UNDER REQUEST:

1) MY NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION CARD2) A BRIEF MOTIVATIONAL LETTER IN WHICH IT IS STATED:• TITLE OF STUDY DECLARATION• DECLARATION OF RESIDENCE• PHONE NUMBER• E-MAIL• A DESCRIPTION ON MYSELF AND ON MY INTEREST IN THE TRAINING

DATE, NAME, SURNAME, ADDRESS.

______

THE CURRENT REQUEST, PROPERLY COMPLETED, MUST BE SUBMITTED WITHIN JUNE 30TH 2017TO THE FOLLOWING E-MAIL

minerva.swaziland@gmail.com

———–

GENERAL CONDITIONS

• PARTICIPANTS WILL NOT BEAR ANY COST OF ATTENDANCE. TRANSPORTS AND MEALS WILL BE OFFERED.

• ACCOMODATION IS NOT PROVIDED.

• DUE TO A RESTRICTED NUMBER OF EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS, MINERVA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SELECT THE CANDIDATES.

THE PROJECT IS ORGANIZED AND CO-FUNED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION AND MINERVA,HEAD OF THE PROJECT “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. CULTURE AS A TOOL TO EMPOWE CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE CREATIVE ENGINE TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN SWAZILAND”.

A Music and Performing Arts Festival, WITH FREE ENTRANCE, designed by Minerva and co-funded by the European Union, under the Project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and with the Swaziland Theater Club.

The FESTIVAL presents on stage at the Swaziland Theater Club, which will be equipped with a NEW LIGHTING AND SOUND SISTEM purchased in the framework of the Minerva – EU co-funded Project, some of the best Swazi Musicians in the Country and it will be organized by a Staff of group Film Makers and Event Organizers who have been trained by Minerva in 2017/2018.

During the Music Show, VIDEO-CLIPS to present the artists involved in the Festival will be screened.

The PHOTO EXHIBITION “Breathing EUnited Arts of Swaziland” will also be set up in the Theater space.

The doors of the Swaziland Theater Club open at 6pm for the public registration. The event will mark the start at 6.45pm.

The entrance is for free, subject to space availability, and only for Eunited Arts of Swaziland Association Members. To receive the Membership card (for free), please ask the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association Desk to the Swaziland Theater Club from Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm. Or the same day of the Event, within 6:30pm (Members must bring with their EUnited Arts of Swaziland membership cards).

INVITATION

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Swaziland Festival – I Edition“Performing Arts are made by Artists.You support Swazi Artists, You develop Arts in Swaziland”

MUSIC SHOW

A programme co-funded by the EUROPEAN UNION with the Organizational support of Alliance Francaise the Mbabane

SATURDAY MAY 19th 2018, 6:00PM, SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB

Minerva proudly presents, at the honorable presence of the EU Ambassador to Swaziland, H.E. Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Festival – I Edition “Performing Arts are made by Artists. You support Swazi Artists, You develop Arts in Swaziland”. A Music and Performing Arts Festival designed by Minerva and co-funded by the European Union, under the Project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and with the Swaziland Theater Club.

The Festival present on stage at the Swaziland Theater Club, which will be equipped with a new Lighting and Sound System purchased in the framework of the Minerva – EU co-funded Project, some of the best Swazi Musicians in the Country and it will be organized by a Staff of group Film Makers and Event Organizers who have been trained by Minerva in 2017/2018.

During the Music Show, video-clips to present the artists involved in the Festival will be screened.

The Photo Exhibition “Breathing EUnited Arts of Swaziland” will also be set up in the Theater space.

The doors of the Swaziland Theater Club open at 6pm for the public registration. The event will mark the start at 6.45pm.

The entrance is for free, subject to space availability, and only for Eunited Arts of Swaziland Association Members. To receive the Membership card (for free), please ask the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association Desk to the Swaziland Theater Club from Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm. Or the same day of the Event, within 6:30pm (Members must bring with their EUnited Arts of Swaziland membership cards).

The “MINERVA – EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” Programme aims to change the perception of Arts and Culture in Swaziland especially in “the career pyramid” through empowering individuals, in particular women, in their Art expertise as a way of making a living by: enhancing their artistic, technical and managerial skills; increasing performance opportunities and debates between artists and the public and private stakeholders; establishing open free spaces for artists and cultural operators; conducting a National research on Art, Culture and Business in the Country.

THIS IS THE (no cost) EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP CARD.

BENEFITS:

– FREE ACCESS TO THE “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND MUSIC FESTIVAL” – I EDITION ON MAY 19th, 6PM, SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB

– FREE ACCESS TO THE UPCOMING 4 EDITIONS OF THE “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND FESTIVAL” BY 2018

– FREE ACCESS TO THE FIRST LABORATORY OF SWAZILAND WITH A NEW LIGHTING AND SOUND EQUIPMENT and the support of Swazi technicians trained by Italian Minerva Experts (from May 21st)

Get your own free Membership Card, join (for free) the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association, established by the Italian no profit organization MINERVA, under the Project co-funded by the European Union “Professions in Music and the Visual Arts”, which aims to support the economic development of Arts and Culture in the Kingdom of eSwatini, and to support Swazi Artists and Swazi Stakeholders.Individuals who are passionate about Arts and Culture are also very welcome to join the Association and the Membership Cards benefits even if they are not artists.

You can receive the Membership Card ONLY at the dedicated Desk at Swaziland Theater Club, open from Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm (Information Desk: +268 76706745). You just have to bring with you a copy of your ID for the registration of membership in the Association.

The EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association is inspired by democratic and human rights principles and against any form of ethnic, religion, gender, disability, generational and HIV discrimination.

PRESS RELEASE – THE LABORATORY WITH FREE ACCESS IS NOW OPEN!

THE FIRST MULTIDISCIPLINARY LABORATORY OF SWAZILAND, TO SERVE AS A FREE SPACE FOR ARTISTS AND CULTURAL OPERATORS, IS NOW OPEN AT THE SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB FROM MONDAY TO FRIDAY (9AM-6PM). BOOKING AT +268 76706745.

Minerva, the Swaziland Theater Club and the Alliance Francaise of Mbabane are happy to announce that the Permanent Laboratory is now open at the Swaziland Theater Club from Monday to Friday (9am-6pm), with the support of the European Union.

The access to the Laboratory for free for “EUnited Arts of Swaziland Association” Members. Membership is for free as well and the registration can be requested at the Laboratory Desk to the Swaziland Theater Club.

Swazi citizens have finally a multifunctional space for free dedicated to artists and cultural operators to organize meetings and debates, rehearsals, cultural trainings, and any cultural and performing arts purposes, with an encouragement to involve students, women and persons with disabilities.

The access is extremely easy and with no costs to be incurred, with the exception of 1 phone call (if you do not book in person at the Laboratory).

Individuals will have simply to

1.call the following dedicated number +268 76706745 to book the Laboratory open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (the Laboratory space can only be used by prior appointment).

2.Show up at the Laboratory at the exact day and time of booking with an ID which coincide with the same name and surname released during the booking.

3.Register at the dedicated Desk her/his membership (for free) at the Association EUnited Arts of Swaziland and receive (for free) the Membership Card.

4.Sign the basic Terms and Conditions provided at the Laboratory Desk.

5.Access (for free) to the Laboratory.

6. Enjoy!

We can’t wait to welcome you numerous and The EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme wish you happy, fruitful, Cultural days!

Permanent Laboratory – Terms and Conditions

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Minerva at the Kusile Breakfast show on Thursday the 8th of February 2018

We would like to thank the SwaziTV and Mr. Savior Kakama for inviting Minerva at the Kusile Breakfast show on Thursday the 8th of February 2018 to illustrate the Minerva Project co-funded by the European Union: “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”.It was a great honor for Minerva, through the Project Manager Assistant, Ms. Nqobile Jele, to publicly illustrate to the Swazi Citizens the “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” Programme, which has been launched under the wider Project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS” and It is implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Swaziland Theater Club.Ms. Nqobile Jele highlighted during the interview the aims of the project, sectors covered, the number of beneficiaries and the success indicators and in particular the establishment of the Eunited Arts of Swaziland Association and of the First Permanent Laboratory at the Swaziland Theatre Club, which will be fully operative in these coming days to serve as an open space with free access for Swazi Artists who will apply with no costs to be part of the Association Eunited Arts of Swaziland. To strengthen these actions, a new Lighting and Sound equipment will be purchased by Minerva with the financial support of the European Union.Details will be provided at soonest, follow us!

The EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND TEAM

Minerva proudly presents to the Public, at the honorable presence ofthe EU Ambassador to Swaziland H.E. ESMERALDA HERNANDEZ ARAGONES, the EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND TEAM of musicians, film makers and organizers who have been trained by MINERVA in 2017 with the financial support of the EUROPEAN UNION to organize as protagonists 5 Events in 2018 with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the SwazilandTheater Club.
“EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” is Programme launched under the Project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, designed and headed by Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and implemented with the organizational support of theAlliance Francaise de Mbabane and with the Swaziland Theater Club.
Under this Programme, 5 events will be organized in 2018, a new lighting and sound equipment will be purchased to support the Industry ofArtsand Culture and to increase Artistic Performances and Exhibitions in the Country.

Many activities will be launched soon, follow us!

CEREMONY HELD LAST FRIDAY 26TH AT THE SWAZILAND THEATER CLUB

THE “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” TEAM PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC.

5 EVENTS TO BE LAUNCHED DURING 2018

THE FIRST LABORATORY FOR MUSICIAN AND CULTURAL OPERATORS OPEN (FOR FREE) IN FEW DAYS AT THE SWAZILAND THEATER CUB

After one year of work behind the stage, The “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” TEAM of Musicians, Film Makers and Event Organizers , involved and trained by the Italian non profit Organization MINERVA in 2017, has received the Membership Card and has been presented to the public at the honorable attendance of the EU AMBASSADOR TO SWAZILAND, H.E. ESMERALDA HERNANDEZ ARAGONES who encouraged the Organizers and the new Team established of this Program headed by Minerva and co-funded by the European Union, with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and the Swaziland Theater Club, represented last Friday 26th by Valerie Munier, Director of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and by Ms. Sindi Nxumalo, Swaziland Theater Club Committee.During the Ceremony, the first multidisciplinary open and free space Laboratory of Swaziland, fully operative at the Theater Club starting by February 2018, has been launched and the new Association of Artists and Cultural Operators, “EUnited Arts of Swaziland”, has been established, with the EU Ambassador who received the first Membership Card “Ad Honorem” by Mr Severi. The second Part of the Ceremony included some Music performances under the brilliant coordination if the Italian Producer and Minerva expert, Erasmo Treglia.

PRESS REVIEW

2 pages published on the Sunday Edition dedicated to the ‘EUnited Arts of Swaziland’ Event and Programme!

EUNITED ARTS FOR SWAZILAND MEMBERS REVEALED:

By Lungile Lulane | 2018-01-28

Friday, the Swaziland Theatre Club hosted the EUNITED ARTS FOR SWAZILAND PROGRAM.

A program designed under the project professions in music and the visual arts, culture as a tool to empower civil society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland, headed by the Italian non profit organization Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and implemented with the Organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and with the Swaziland Theatre Club.

The main purpose for this event was the introduce the Event organizers, Musicians and film makers who have been trained by Minerva During 2017 under the EUnited Arts for Swaziland Program and the launch of the first laboratory of Swaziland. An open Space with free access for artists to use anytime they wish to improve skills. These are pictures from the event!

EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND MEMBERSHIP CEREMONY

Artists in the country have been extended a lifeline which will see them availed free spaces to showcase their talents going forward.

Not only that, artists will get access to a sound system which they will use for free in any venue of their choice as per arrangement with their organisation; EUnited Arts of Swaziland.

This was revealed during the closure of a workshop held at the Swaziland Theatre Club which culminated in the launch of Swazi Team Membership, a group of artists who will benefit from a European Union sponsorship programme designed under the project professions in music and the visual arts, culture as a tool to empower civil society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland.

The sponsorship programme is headed by an Italian non-profit organisation Minerva and it is co-funded by the European Union while implemented with the organisational support of the Alliance Française in collaboration with the Swaziland Theatre Club.

The launch is the first multi-disciplinary laboratory in the country to serve as an open free space for artists and cultural operators.

It was graced by the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Swaziland, Esmeralda Hernandez Aragones, Minerva Project Manager Riccardo Severi, Alliance Française Director Valerie Munier; as well as local artists.

The event team members comprise local artists and event organisers who have been involved in an intensive professional training managed by Minerva since February 2017 in ‘Business and Arts’, ‘Film making and production’ as well as ‘Music production, promotion and co-ordination’.

Severi, while giving background of the EUNITED ARTS FOR SWAZILAND PROGRAMME which started in 2017, said; “After one year behind the stage, we are here today for a formal involvement in the organisation of five events in 2018 of an enthusiastic group of event organisers, musicians and film-makers who have been trained by Minerva and it is time to introduce them to the public.”

Severi described the laboratory as an open space with free access from morning to the afternoon to all artists and cultural operators of Swaziland who will apply, for free, to be a part of the EUnited Arts for Swaziland Association.

He said this space could be used by artists and cultural operators to organise rehearsals, debate on arts to improve skills and to better build artistic convincing proposals to be submitted and evaluated by the Swaziland Theatre Club and Alliance Française in Mbabane. In addition, he said Minerva would provide new lighting and a sound system which has been approved by the European Union and is due to be purchased in the next coming weeks.

support

Riccardo thanked the EU Ambassador for the moral and financial support and the members of the public who honoured their invitation.

The EU Ambassador said she thought arts and culture could be an excellent vehicle to promote freedom of expression and democracy, as these can open constructive dialogue on social and cultural issues. She said the two could be used to defend pluralism of civil society and the empowerment of women and girls while striving towards equity in the society and creative industry can generate revenue for artists; hence their capacity to live on their work on arts.

Hernandez Aragones said the project, through capacity building, aims to empower artists, especially women artists, by enhancing their artistic, technical, and managerial skills.

She expressed her gratitude to the strong interest and motivation shown by the artist participants while citing that some artists travelled long distances every morning and evening to attend the training workshops.

With the launch of the laboratory she wished Minerva, Swaziland Theatre Club and Alliance Française success as they undertake this project.

She further said that she looked forward to the establishment of local associations for artists and cultural operators as planned under this project, to contribute to the promotion and management of the artistic sector. The EU ambassador encouraged further development in the Swazi artistic scene. The event team members received their membership cards which were met with excitement. Some of the performances by the musicians such as Cleopetra who sang one of her songs Indilinga, Thobile playing the flute, Pachanga playing Makhoyane and Sanele playing drums showcased traditional music instruments. Themba thrilled with his song ubolalela which showcased his vocals. The crowd got up and danced to Zakhele Ginindza’s gospel tunes and dance moves.

SWAZI TEAM MEMBERSHIP CEREMONY and launch of THE FIRST MULTIDISCIPLINARY LABORATORY OF SWAZILAND to serve as an open and free space for artists and cultural operators.

Minerva proudly presents, at the honorable presence of the EU Ambassador to Swaziland, H.E.ESMERALDA HERNANDEZ ARAGONES, the Swazi Event Team Members of the “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND”, a Programme designed under the Project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, headed by the Italian non profit organization Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane and with the Swaziland Theater Club.

The Action will be illustrated by Mr. RICCARDO SEVERI, Minerva Project Manager, Ms. VALERIE MUNIER, Director of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, MS. SINDI NXUMALO, Chair of the Swaziland Theater Club Committee.

The Event Team Members are composed by Swazi artists and event organizers who have been involved in intensive Professional Trainings managed by Minerva since February 2017 in “Business and Arts”, “Film Making and Production”, “Music Production, Promotion and Coordination” and who are currently working daily all together from Monday January 22 at the Swaziland Theater Club to organize as protagonists five Music/Performing Events in 2018, in Swaziland.

During the formal involvement Ceremony in the “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” PROGRAMME MEMBERSHIP, a PERMANENT LABORATORY FULLY OPERATIVE STARTING BY FEBRUARY 2018 will be launched at the Swaziland Theater Club. IT IS THE FIRST MULTIDISCIPLINARY OPEN AND FREE SPACE/LAB IN SWAZILAND TO SERVE AS AN OPEN SPACE FOR ARTISTS AND CULTURAL OPERATORS.

Journalist Accreditation: minerva.swaziland@gmail.com

IV PROFESSIONAL TRAINING UNDER THE EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND PROGRAMME

We are happy to announce the forth Professional Training headed by Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, which will involve more than 50 best artists, film makers and event organizers of Swaziland who already achieved the EUnited Arts of Swaziland Programme certificate in 2017.

The EUnited Arts of Swaziland Dream Team will work intensively at the Swaziland Theater Club for 5 consecutive days, from Monday January 22, to Friday January 26, to organize a calendar of Performing Arts events to be held in Swaziland in 2018.

Erasmo Treglia

THE INTERNATIONAL TRAINER AND COORDINATOR IS:ERASMO TREGLIA. Ethnomusicologist, Musician and Music manager.

ERASMO IS:Director of the International Folk Italian Festival “LA ZAMPOGNA”, Coordinator of the Festivals “Ottava Rima” and “Winter Meetings” which take place in the area of Rome and Artistic Director of the Festival “The Traianee” Fiumicino (Rome) and “Intermundia” of Rome (Intercultural and school);Head of FINISTERRE / SUDNORD RECORDS, a record label specialized in the publication of ethno-musical materials and the production of folk revival and world music artists.Coordinator of the network “Re.Fo.La. – Network of Folklore in New York”, a federation of folk festivals and events that take place in Italy;Member of the Board of the EFWMF: European Forum of Worldwide Music Festivals.Italian member of the European Network WMRA, World Music in Rural Areas.Member of the network of WOMEX: World Music Expo.Scientific coordinator of the “Museum of Popular Musical Instruments of Region Lazio, Italy” and of the “Museum of Musical Traditions” (Arsoli, Rome);

AS A PERFORMERErasmo is musician and soloist in traditional music groups such as Acquaragia Drom, Epifani Barbers, Pizzicata Orchestra and others.He has participated in numerous musical projects with artists of national and international relevance and he is currently implementing a project which involves the Italian well known musicians Acquaragia Drom, Piero Pelù and Eugene Hutz (Gogol Bordello).

AS A RESEARCHER, ETHNOMUSICOLOGIST AND MUSIC PRODUCER WORLDWIDEHe is author of numerous publications and he promotes musical reality in Italy and abroad in particular in the Mediterranean Basin.He has conducted and realized dozens of researchers on the subject of music and music production worldwide. Among other countries, in India, Mongolia, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Israel, Turkey, Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Peru and, in Africa, in Tunisia, Ethiopia, Togo, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde and Mozambique.

ERASMO TREGLIA is already involved in a National Research on Arts and Business in Swaziland and he can’t wait to work with the excellence of Swazi Artists involved in the EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND PROGRAMME, headed by Minerva, co-funded by the European Union and with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane.

“Music Production, Promotion and Coordination

Minerva Training in “Music Production, Promotion and Coordination”.

Best Congratulations to the Swazi Musicians who attended with success, on a daily basis, the 5 – days Minerva Training in “Music Production, Promotion and Coordination”. The release of Certificates took place last Saturday November 17th at the Swaziland Theater Club, at the presence of the EU Delegation Representative, Mr. Filip De Loof.

This Training is the third step of the 2 year Programme “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND”, designed and promoted by the Italian non for profit organization MINERVA, with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane. All our gratitude to the European Union and to the EU Delegation to Swaziland for co-funding and strongly supporting this Programme.

Special thanks to our Trainers Rok Kosir and Claudio Graziani for their great job.

3° PROFESSIONAL TRAINING COURSE IN “MUSIC PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND COORDINATION”.

SELECTED CANDIDATES.

We are happy to inform that the selection process for the Training in “MUSIC PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND COORDINATION. Professional skills for entry into the artistic labor market” (From Monday 13 to Friday November 17), developed by Minerva and co-funded by the European Union, with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, has been finalized.

“MUSIC PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND COORDINATION. PROFESSIONAL SKILLS FOR ENTRY INTO THE ARTISTIC LABOR MARKET”

is now open

DOWNLOAD THE TRANINING OFFICIAL CALL

the training is part of the project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”, co-funded by the European Union and Minerva. The training will be held from Monday NOVEMBER 13th to Friday NOVEMBER 17th at theSwaziland Theater Club (8AM – 5PM), Box 401, MBABANE The application form at the training must be submitted by completing the following template. The subscribers will have to demonstrate in their Motivational Letters previous significant experiences in the field of Music Production and/or Promotion and/or Coordination. Minerva will not consider eligible applications by candidates who already have been selected and achieved a Certificate under the “EUnited Arts of Swaziland” Programme. Minerva will accept only the applications duly completed and received within Saturday October 28th 2017 at the email address: minerva.trainings@gmail.com. FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW.

Letter to be submitted by the applicant ——————- Request

I REQUEST to participate at the training in “MUSIC PRODUCTION, PROMOTION AND COORDINATION”. whose contents are “PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND MASTERY OF MUSIC NOTATION CODES, TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY AND CONSCIOUSLY FOR ENTRY INTO THE ARTISTIC LABOR MARKET”. ENSURING MY PRESENCE TO ATTEND IT the whole duration, 5 days (40 HOURS), from fMonday NOVEMBER 13th to Friday NOVEMBER 17th at the Swaziland Theater Club (8AM – 5PM), Box 401, MBABANE

BEING AWARE THAT A MINERVA-EU CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE WILL BE RELEASED exclusively IF ATTENDING THE WHOLE length OF THE TRAINING. BEING AWARE THAT I WILL BE INVOLVED IN FURTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE PROGRAMME “MINERVA – EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” exclusively IF ATTENDING THE WHOLE length OF THE TRAINING. BEING AWARE that meals and transports costs for each day will be covered by Minerva.

I attach, UNDER REQUEST: MY National Identification card A BRIEF MOTIVATIONAL LETTER IN WHICH IT IS STATED: title of study declaration Declaration of residence phone number e-mail A DESCRIPTION ON MYSELF AND ON MY INTEREST IN THE TRAINING

date, name, surname, address.

______

the current REQUEST, properly completed, must be submitted WITHIN OCTOBER 28th, 2017 to the following e-mail

minerva.trainings@gmail.com

good luck!

general conditions

PARTICIPANTS WILL NOT BEAR ANY COST OF ATTENDANCE. transports and meals will be offered.

ACCOMODATION IS NOT PROVIDED.

DUE TO A RESTRICTED NUMBER OF EXPECTED PARTICIPANTS, MINERVA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SELECT THE CANDIDATES

CANDIDATURES WHO HAVE BEEN ALREADY SELECTED TO ATTEND THE FIRST OR THE SECOND TRAINING UNDER THE “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND” PROGRAMME WON’T BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION

THE PROJECT IS ORGANIZED AND co-funded by the European Union and Minerva, head of the project “PROFESSIONS IN MUSIC AND THE VISUAL ARTS. Culture as a tool to empower Civil Society and the creative engine to support economic and social development in Swaziland”. The Training in “Music Production, Promotion and Coordination” is implemented with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane.

Minerva Training in “Film Making and Film Production”

Congratulations to the beneficiaries of the 5 – days Minerva Training in “Film Making and Film Production” which ended last Friday October 6th at the Swaziland Theater Cub with the release of certificates at the presence of the EU Delegate, Mr Allen Dlamini, the Minerva Staff and the Director of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, Ms Valerie Munier.The Training is the second step of the Programme “EUNITED ARTS OF SWAZILAND”, designed and promoted by the Italian non for profit organization MINERVA, co-funded by the European Union, to whom goes our gratitude for investing in Arts and Culture in Swaziland and for the trust in Minerva, with the organizational support of the Alliance Francaise.
Special thanks to the super Trainers Giorgia Farina and Brett Michael Innes for their great work and passion. We look forward to see you again in Swaziland!The next Training, in “Music Production and Music Promotion/Coordination”, will be launched in the coming days through this FB Page.

THE FIRST OF THE 5 TRAINING DAYS ON “FILM MAKING AND FILM PRODUCTION” MARKED THE START.

The Training on “Film Making and Film Production”, part of the wider “EUnited Arts of Swaziland” Programme co-funded by the European Union, promoted and leaded by Minerva with the support of the Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, this morning marked the start at the Swaziland Theater Club with an opening introduction of Riccardo Severi, Project Manager of Minerva, Valerie Munier, Director of the Alliance Francaise, Giorgia Farina and Brett Michael Innes, the international film-makers and producers coming from Italy and South Africa to bring their strong successful experiences.